World War II Honoree

Eunice C. Hatchitt

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Prairie Lea, Texas

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

SHE WAS AN ARMY NURSE ASSIGNED TO VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN AND AROUND MANILA; LUZON OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS WHEN THE JAPANESE ATTACKED DECEMBER 8, 1941. JANUARY 1942, SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO BATAAN AND APRIL 1942 SHE WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE ISLAND OF CORREGIDOR. DURING THESE TIMES AND UNDER DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS SHE TREATED HER PATIENTS WHILE UNDER THE CONSTANT ATTACK BY THE JAPANESE. SHE WAS EVACUATED FROM CORREGIDOR APRIL 29, 1942 BY A PBY AND ARRIVED SAFELY IN AUSTRALIA. SHE WAS NAMED CHIEF NURSE OF THE 53RD ARMY FIELD HOSPITAL IN THE EUROPEAN THEATRE OF WAR AND ON JULY 16, 1944 SHE LANDED IN NORMANDY, FRANCE. SHE FOLLOWED GENERAL PATTON'S 3RD ARMY THROUGH EUROPE. THE SURGEONS WHO SERVED WITH HER WERE ASTONISHED BY HER SKILL. HER EXPERIENCES IN THE JUNGLES OF BATAAN HAD LEFT HER AS ONE OF THE MOST EXPERIENCED BATTLEFIELD NURSES IN THE ARMY.